History of Epsom Choral Society

Epsom Choral Society was founded in 1922 by Sir Humphrey Milford, publisher
to the University of Oxford, to give his son
Robin, a composer, experience as
conductor by taking part in the Leith Hill Musical Festival (LHMF).

In 1934 Milford, was succeeded as conductor by William Cole, (who was later
to follow Ralph Vaughan Williams
as Conductor of the Leith Hill Musical Festival), and was the Society's
President until his death in 1997.

Richard Fentiman, the Society's conductor from the end of the war until 1976,
instituted the popular Christmas Concerts in St. Martin's Church. With his son,
also Richard, the Society began its regular Summer Concerts and under his
successor, Peter Chase, appointed in 1980, the Society expanded its programme of
concerts to three a year while retaining its link with the Festival. The
Society's repertoire extended further under Peter's successors, Murray Stewart
and Nicholas Kok.

Robin Kimber was appointed conductor in 1991, since when the choir has both grown
and improved significantly, now having a membership of over 110.
Under Robin, and greatly assisted by our accompanist Marion Lea, the Choir has has performed a wide ranging repertoire
including most of the major oratorio works. We have added venues outside Epsom to our schedule such as Chichester Cathedral, Hampton
Court and, in London, St Martin-in-the-Fields and St James, Piccadilly. We now perform five or six times a year as well as taking
part in the LHMF.

Robin resigned as Musical Director in July 2015, and after one term in the very capable hands of Benedict Lewis-Smith, the Society appointed Julian Collings as MD in November 2015.

In 1996 the choir ventured abroad for the first time, to Epsom's twin-town
Chantilly, near Paris. Since then, a long summer weekend tour has become a regular and highly popular part of the programme.

‘We are a friendly welcoming choir and enjoy an active and entertaining social life, too. Highlights include a themed party early in the year and in May, a plant sale, with tea and cakes in a local garden..